Process of and apparatus for oxidizing yarn



ZSheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

O. DUCKWORTH- PROGBss 0F AND APPARATUS PoR-OXIDIZING YARN. No. 508,094.

Patented Nov. '7

(No Model.)

o. DUGKWQRTH. A, Y PROCESS 0F AND APPARATUS FOB. OXIDIZING YARN.

l Patented Nov. 7, 1893.

2 Sheets- Sheet 2.

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UNITED STATES.

PATENT OFFICE.

ORMEROD DUOKWORTH, OF NORRISTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA.

PROCESS OF ANDnAPPARATUySil-OR OXIDIZING YARN.

. SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 508,094, dated November 7, 1893.

Application filed May 13,1892..

To afl-Z whom it may concern.'

HKro

Be it known that I, ORMEROD DUoKwoRTH, of the borough -of Norristown, county of Montgomery, and f State of Pennsylvania, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Yarn Drying and ,Oxidizing Processes and Apparatus; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this speciiication.

My invention has relation to yarn drying and oxidizing processes and apparatus and consists in the method or process and device as hereinafter particularly described.

The object of my invention is to provide for the effective and rapid dryingand oxidizing of yarns after they have been dyed before woven or manufactured into fabrics by exposing the threads in the skeins freely to currents of air which are directed through the skeins as the yarn passes in its course through areV complete.

- my invention is, as nearly as possible, to direct-one or more currents .ofv air through all parts of eachv skein so thatieach thread, as nearly impossible, may be exposed to the drying or oxidizing current, and to accomplish this to so carry the yarns in the skeins through the apparatus lthat free access can be had 'to the skeins by the air current or currents. p

In the accompanying drawings:-Figure l is a longitudinal sectional View on the line w-w of Fig. 3 of a machine for drying and oxidizing yarns so constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional viewv on the line :1c-a; of Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a frontv view of the machine.

In the construction shown the drying and oxidizing of the yarn occur withoutrehandling in the same machine, but my invention serial No. 432,839. (No man.)

but applies also to either of these operations separately performed, though the form illustrated is the preferable construction.

A represents the outer casing of the machine provided with two openings, A', and, A2, for the induction and eduction ofthe air current respectively, and also open at, A3, in the front of the machine to allow of access to the traveling reels, fr, r', which carry the skeins of yarn, y, so that the dry and oxidized yarn may be removed at that point after having passed through the machine and newly dyed undried skeins may be inserted in their places on the rollers, r, r', at that point, by the attendant. y

I will first describe the air iiues and the direction of the current of the air as it passes through the apparatus before describing the construction shown in the drawings for carrying the yarn. Three fans, F, F, F2, are preferably employed, though other means for the same purpose or other numbers of fans maybe adapted for inducing, controlling and exhaustingthe current or air. The fan, F, is located within the chamber, E, which chamber occupies a central space between theouter sides of the casing, A; and partially inclosed by the inner vertical walls, B, top, bottom and rear walls, e, c', c3. As the fan, F, is revolved in the direction indicated by the arrows, Fig. l and air current isfinduced through the external Iiue, d, and bythe co-operation of the other fans, also operating in the indicated directions the current is directed through the chamber, E, in the direction indicated by the arrows, Figs..1 and 2, into and up through the iiues, E, situated on either side of thechamber, E, constructed between the sides of the oute rcasing, A, and vertical walls, B, of the inner chamber, E; by theco-operation of the fan, F', revolving in the direction indicated by the arrows in Fig. 1, the current of air is thence directed from the top of the flue,E which is open down through the central chamber or flue, E2, situated similarly but to the rear of the centralflue, E, thence to the bottom of said iiue, at c', to the entrance to the flue, E3,

thence up the iiue, E3, situated on either side IOD wall partially forming the central chamber, E2; the said ilue,`E3, is divided from said ilue, E', by the transverse partition, e2. The current of air is thence directed through the coaction of the respective fans, now largely influenced by the ednetionfan, F2, from the top of the flue E3, through the flue, E4, formed between the outer casing, A, and the rear wall, e3, of the tiue, E2, and thence preferably through perforated partitions, P, P', placed horizontally within the main casing near the top and bottom respectively of the chamber E5, thence in the direction indicated by the arrows, Fig. 1, through the said chamber or flue, E5,and out the egress flue, A2, provided in the lower part of the casing, A, in which Hue, A2 the exhaust fan, F2 is provided; the current of air through the machine is thus given a direction indicated by the arrows. The construction `of the lines may be changed and the direction of the air current altered without deviating from my invention. The yarn to be dried and oxidized travels through the central and main portion of the casing, A, passing in its course through the respective currents of air provided in such manner as to allow of the greatest exposure of the threads of each skein of yarn to the drying and oxidizing currents as they pass through the machine in the course indicated. In the construction shown a set of two yarn rollers, r, r', is provided to pass through and carry each skein of yarn,y, each roller being journaled in suitable journal bearings, y', provided on a belt, b, preferably a chain belt, for the outer series of rollers, r, and upon another like belt, b', for the inner series of rollers, fr', the outer belt, b, being provided on pulleys or sprocket wheels, 19,19', 192,293, while the inner belt, b', is provided upon the pulleys or sprocket wheels, s, s', s2, s3, the belts or pulleys being duplicated on the respeetive sides of the machine to carry both ends of the respective rollers, fr, r'. The rollers, r, r', are so adj usted on their respective belts to each other as to preferably carry the skeins, y, at an oblique angle to the line of the belt so as to allow the respective air eurrents to pass through the skeins obliquely as the skeins travel through the currents thus presenting more surface of yarn to the air current and for a length of time which, however, may bev regulated by the speed of the machine. The pulleys carrying the belts b,

' b', are operated by a band pulley, D, provided on the outside of the casing, A, on the shaft, d, carrying the pulleys, j), s, or by any other suitable device. The belts, h, b', are preferably linked belts constructed to engage on spurs provided on the respective pulleys or sprocket wheels, so that the rollers, r, 1","carrying the respective skeins of yarn may retain their relative position to each other without slipping. A cord, c, is preferably passed over a large pulley, C, pro vided on 011e of the pulley shafts and alternately in and out bearing upon the rollers fr,

fr', above and below continuously throughout the course of the rollers, said cord traveling at a dierent speed from the speed of travel of the rollers, fr, and preferably bearing in a small grooved bearing, c2, provided on one end of the rollers, r, for the purpose of re volving the said rollers, r. As they travel through the machine, the yarn, y, being tautly adjusted on the rollers, r, r', will by the rev' elution of the rollers, r, be made also to revolve thus additionally securing the complete exposure ot' the different portionsof the yarn to the aircurrent or currents. The foremost pulleys, 292,193, s2, s3, properly journ aled to each side of the casing are preferably adjusted slightlyfartherapart on theirrespectiveshafts than the rear pulleys, p, p', s, s', so that the journal bearings, y', of the rollers r, fr', when they reach the front of the machine are farther apart from each other and will allow the spindles of the respectiverollers to be readily withdrawn, by slight pushing or pulling, from their respective journalbearings, y', so that the skeins of yarn, y, after they have gone through the drying and oxidizing process can be taken oit of the rollers and other undried skeins can be inserted thereon and the rollers properly adjusted in their bearings once more by the attendent, as the machine operates sufficiently slowly to allow of this being done. Horizontal Vguide rails, g, g', are provided under the belts, b, b', between the pulleys, p, p3, so that the belts may slightly bear on the same and thus prevent sagging, while like guide rails, g2, g3, are provided beneath the said belts, b, b', between the pulleys, '19',132, for the same purpose. As the skeins of yarn, y, obliquely adjusted on the rollers r, r', are slowly propelled through the central part of the casing by means of the construction described, and at the same time slightly rolated on the rollers, the current of air, preferably heated, as by the steam coil,-S, in the flue, a, is driven first through the skeins as they pass through the iiue, E. Thence the current passing' up through the side fiues, E and down throughthe flue, E2, is again d riven through the skeins as theypass through the said flue, E2. The current then passing up through the said flue, E3, and down through the ue, E, into the chamber, E5, is aga-in driven through the skeins as it passes through the said chamber or flue, E5, and thence down and out of the exhaust Hue, A2, the fans, F, F', F2, operating in the proper direction indicated directing and controlling this course of the air currentA through the respective fines, as hereinbefore described. The steam coil, S, isalso preferably provided in the flue, E4, as is also a perforated jet, j, for distributing any desired amount of moisture. In this manner the yarn in a single passage through the machine slowly operated is thoroughly dried and oxidized without further rehandling. The machine may be of any desired length in order to provide a greater amount Vtreating the aniline dyed/yarn.

of exposure to the drying and oxidizing atmosphere. In the construction described a comparatively short casing isall that is necessary, under ordinary circumstances,'for

I have illustrated `herein a preferable construction of machine for'carrying out my invention though this construction may be deviated from and other mechanical constructions employed without departing from the spirit ot' my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The method or processl herein described of treating unwoven dyed yarns, said method consisting in causing heated currents ot' air to pass into andv through the yarn, of passing at the same time the yarn through the heated currents of air suspended inA loops or skeins in a taut or partiallytaut .condition disposed atan angle to the line of the currents of air passing throughthepyarn, and in carrying the yarn .thus suspended uninterruptedly through two or more currents of air, at the same time ,causing the yarn tot-rave] rotatively on hangers or rollers supporting the same so as to allow the air to come more freely into contact with the` yarn threads drying or oxidizing the same.

2. A yarn drying andoxidizing apparatus having an outer casing, alongitudinal yarn drying chamber, endless belts provided therein on pulleys secured to the casing, rollers removably journaled upon Ysaid belts for carrying the yarn skein through said chamber and meansfor propelling said belts, tlues provided insaid casing for directing a current of air through said yarn, flues for conducting said current to the upper k,portion of the casing andy directing it again through said yarn once or twice beforejts passage from the casing, heating apparatus provided Vat the induction portion of the main iiue and heating apparatus provided in the casing in an intermediatev air ue for raising the temperature of the air partially cooled by its first passage through the yarn for reheating before its final passage through the yarn and means for removing the rolls and adjusting the yarn skeins thereon and removing the rolls after the pas-v sage of the yarn through the casing for resupplying it with fresh skeins substantially as described.

3. In a yarn dryirgand oxidizing apparatus an outer casing, a centrally located drying chamber provided with two sets of endless v belts on pulleys, one set of belts being shorter than the other set, the shorter set situated within the longerset, rolls removably journaled, doc., to each respective set of, belts for engaging the respective skeins of yarnland means for. propelling the belts and yarn through said chamber` and for adjusting the skeins to the rolls and removing the same after their passage through the chamber, air

flues for directing a current of air through the yarn repeatedly during the passage of the yarn through the drying chamber, apparatus `for heating said air as it enters the induction flue and for reheating said air before its ,finalpassage through the yarn and means for producing, controlling and exhausting the current. of air substantially as described. f

. 4. In a yarn drying apparatus a main casing, A, having a main longitudinal drying chamber, endless belts, b, b', provided in said chamber upon belt pulleys and means for propelling the same through said chamber, rolls,f/', r', removably journaled in open journal bearings, y', and means for revolving said rolls in their travel through the drying chamber, air lues, A', E, E', E2, E3, E4, A2, for directing the current of air through the apparatus, means for inducing, controlling and exhausting the currents of air through said lues, and apparatus provided in the air flue at or near the point ot induction for heating said current of air and heating apparatus intermediately provided in said casing, A, for relieating the air after its preliminary. passage `throu gh the wet yarn and before its final passage through the yarn and out of the eduction lflue in the manner and for the purpose substantially as described. y

5. A yarn drying and oxidizing apparatus having an outer. casing, longitudinal yarn drying chamber, endless belts provided therein on pulleys secured to the casing, rollers, removably journaled upon said belts for carryring the yarn skeins through the said chamber, and means for propellingsaid belts, flues provided in said casing for directing the current of air through said yarn, lues for conducting said current again through said yarn onceor twice before its final passage from the casing, heatingv apparatus provided near the induction portion of the main iiue, heating apparatus provided in the casing in an intermediate air iiue for raising the temperature of the air partially cooled byits first passage through the yarn, and means for supplying moisture to the air current, means for removing the rolls and adjusting the yarn skeins thereon substantially as described.

6. An apparatus for drying or oxidizing yarns having an outer casing, A, interior ilues, E, E, E2, E3, E4, E5, inducting aperture, A', and exhaust aperture, A2, rotary fans, F, F F2, for inducting and controlling and exhausting the air current in and through said vlues, steam coil, S, S for regulating the temperature ofthe air current, and perforated jet, j, for supplying moisture thereto, rollers, r, 7", adapted toengage within each skein of I ing, belts, b, b', provided on the pulleys, p, p', p2, p3, Yand s, s,s2, s3, said pulleys.. carrying said belts and rotatively operating the same through the said casing, fixed journal-bearings, y, provided on the belt, b, for carrying IOO IIO

yarn tor carrying the same through the cas- Y the rollers, r, and 'fixed journals, y', provided on the belt, b', for carrying the rollers, r', and means for revolving said rollers as they travel through the casing, A, substantially a described.

7. A yarn drying and oxidizing apparatus having an outercasing, A', interior iiues, A, E, E', E2, E3, E4, J5, rotary fans, E, F', E2, for inducting, controlling and exhausting the air currents through said fiues, steam pipe, S, S', for regulating the temperature of the air current and moistening jet, j, rollers, r, r', adapted to engage within each skein of yarn for carrying the same through the casing, belts, b, b', provided on pulleys, p, 192192, p3, and s, s', s2, s3, respectively said pulleys carrying saidbelts, b, b', and rotatively operating the saine through the said casing, lixed journals or bearings, y', provided on the belt, b', for carrying the rollers, r', cords, c, carried on the pulley, C, and provided alternately above and below the rollers` r, throughout their course in a groove or pulley, c2, traveling at a different rate of speed from the said rollers asa means for revolving said rollers as they travel through the casing, A, guide rails, g, g', g3, for guiding and supporting the belts, 12,6', while traveling horizontally between the pulleys p, p3, and p', and p2, respectively substantially as described.

8. An apparat-us for drying and oxidizing yarns having an outer casing, A, interior lines,

A, E, E', E2, E3, E4, E5, rotary fans, F', F2, for inducting, controlling and exhausting the air currents through the said tiues steam pipe S, S', for regulating the temperature of the air current and moistening jet, j, perforated plates, P, P provided above and below the chamber or flue, E5, rollers, r, r', adapted to engage within each skein of yarn for carrying the same through the casing, belts, b, b', provided on pulleys, p, p', 192, p3, and s, s', s2, s3, respectively, said pulleys carrying said belts, b, b', and rotatively operating the same, the said fixed journals or beariugs,y, provided on the belt, b, for carrying the rollers, fr', and fixed journals, y', provided on the belt, b', for carrying the rollers, fr', cords, c, carried on the pulley, C, and provided alternately above and below the rollers, r, throughout their course in a groove or pulley, c2, traveling at a dilereut rate of speed from the said rollers as a means for revolving said rollers as they travel through the casing, A, guide rails, g, g', g2, g3, for guiding and supporting the belts, b, b', While traveling horizontally between the pulleys, p, p3, and p', and p2, respectively substautially as described.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 9th day of April, A. D. 41892.

ORMEROD DUCKWORTH. l Witnesses:

HORACE PETTIT, H. GORDON MoCo UGH.

It is hereby certied that in Letters Patent No. 508,094, granted November 7, 1893 upon the application of Ormerod Duckworth, of Norristown, Pennsylvania, for an improvement in Process of and Apparatus for Oxidizing Yarnfierrors appear in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: ln line 73, page 2, the period after the reference letter r should be stricken out and a comma inserted instead,

and the following Word As7 should commence with a small a, making a continuous f sentence; page 3, line 6l, the abbreviation Snc. should be stricken out, and page 4,

line 29, a comma should he inserted after the Word respectively 7 and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the' same may con form to the papers pertaining to the case in the Patent Oflice.

Signed, eountersigned, and sealed this 2d day of January, A. D. 1894.

[SEAL] J N O. M. REYNOLDS,

' Assistant Secretary of the Interior. Gountersigned JOHN S. SEYMOUR,

Commissioner of Patents. 

